Political Thought and German Reunification

German reunification occurred almost without warning or notice and at a very rapid pace. In many respects there was little economic, industrial, fiscal, intellectual or ideological preparation for this momentous step, which has far-reaching implications, not only for Germany itself, but for all the member states of the European Union, and the wider socio-economic geopolitical situation. German intellectuals have, in particular, struggled to adjust to the new circumstances. The Federal Republic was firmly embedded within the Western liberal capitalist economic and ideological world order. The former GDR, on the other hand, appeared to be the most orthodox of the Eastern Marxist-Leninist world, with its economic base firmly predicated on the model of central planning. Under the weight of unprecedented political and economic pressures these two worlds have been almost forcibly welded together. Ten years on from reunification intellectuals are still attempting to question and re-evaluate the 'idea' of a reunified Germany at the heart of a new Europe. This book brings together British, German and Finnish scholars to debate the key political, social and economic issues related to the new Germany in the new Europe.